Automatic stick placer for lumber stacks



March 1963 .1. M. LAWSON 3,081,888

AUTOMATIC'STICK PLACER FOR LUMBER STACKS Filed Feb. 1. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.2

INVENTOR. L Joseph M. Lawson March 19, 1963 J. M. LAWSON 3,081,888

AUTOMATIC STICK PLACER FOR LUMBER STACKS Filed Feb. 1, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGB 15 F'IG.4

I53 ISI INVENTOR. Joseph M. Lawson March 19, 1963 J. M. LAWSON AUTOMATIC STICK PLACER FOR LUMBER STACKS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 1, 1960 INVENTCR. Joseph M. Lawson March 19, 1963 J. M. LAWSON 3,081,888

AUTOMATIC STICK PLACER FOR LUMBER STACKS Filed Feb. 1, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Joseph M. Lawson March 19, 1963 J. M. LAWSON 3,081,888

AUTOMATIC; STICK PLACER FOR LUMBER smcxs Filed Feb. 1, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 F'IG. l7 4| 4| INVENTOR.

Joseph M. Lawson J. M. LAWSON 3,081,888 AUTOMATIC STICK PLACER FOR LEJMBER STACKS s Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR. Joseph M. Lawson BY was March 19, 1963- Filed Feb. 1, 1960 FIG. l9

are Pre 3,081,888 Patented Mar. 1%, H953 3,031,888 AUTOMATIC STICK PLACER FGR LUMBER STACKS Joseph hit. Lawson, Memphis, Tenn., assign-or to Lawson Stacker- Co, inc, Memphis, Tenn, a corporation of Tennessee Fitted Feb. i, 1966, Ser. No. 5,976 13 Ciaims. (Qt. 2l4e) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements particularly adapted for usage in connection with mechanical lumber stacking devices and machines such as those shown in Patents Nos. 2,686,603 and 2,703,247, and in particular relates to a machine for automatically positioning sticks upon lumber stacks in order to provide spacing vertically between horizontal layers or tiers of lumber as they are placed upon such lumber stacks, and accordingly this invention relates to an automatic stick placer adapted for use with lumber stacks.

It has long been recognized as desirable in the drying of lumber after the stacking of same, whether the drying is to be accomplished by kiln or by air drying, that there should be provided spaces between the horizontal layers or tiers of the lumber in such stack so that each of the successive lumber layers or tiers is vertically spaced above or away from the next adjacent layers or tiers.

In the process of stacking lumber by hand there is presented a double problem of labor and time which requires the accuracy of the workmen to accurately place the successive horizontal layers or tiers of lumber, and intermediate the placing of such layers or tiers of lumber to interpose spacing elements, commonly called sticks. This practice of hand layering lumber in successive horizontal layers for stacks and successively interposing spacing sticks by hand upon the upper surface of a completed layer and prior to the introduction of the next successive layer has continued for many years, and in many places continues to the present time.

One of the problems of stacking lumber in the general manner just described has been solved by the use of mechanical lumber stackers, such as those shown in the patents mentioned above, in which successive layers or tiers of lumber are delivered by a machine onto the stack and deposited there in orderly arrangement. Even, however, with the usage of such lumber stackers as those mentioned above the practice of hand placing of spacing sticks upon the successive layers of lumber has continued to be followed.

The present invention contemplates an automatic device for placing spacing sticks which is adapted to be coordinated with the deposit of a layer of lumber in a horizontal tier upon a stack of lumber. The present device is essentially adapted to be mechanically coordinated with a mechanical lumber stacker such as of the types mentioned in the patents defined above, although the present stick placing device may under desired circumstances be adapted for usage in connection with lumber stacks in which the successive layers of lumber are manually placed upon the stack.

In the usage of the present invention the considerable time and labor heretofore involved in the placing of spacing sticks is eliminated and the accuracy of the placement of the sticks as well as the selection of the desired number of sticks to be placed in conjunction with a specific layer of lumber is easily controlled.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an automatic means for depositing a series of horizontally spaced sticks upon successive layers or tiers of lumber deposited upon a stack of lumber and in coordination with the deposit of the lumber tiers upon said stack successively.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a stick placing means which comprises a vertically reciprocable carriage motivated for movement into deposit position by the entry of a tier or flight of lumber into the area overlying the lumber stack upon which the tier or flight is to be deposited, and which includes a series of longitudinally spaced apart magazines for retaining and receiving spacing sticks.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such a machine means coordinated with the vertical reciprocation of the carriage comprised in the machine for successively depositing an individual stick from the respective magazines onto the upper face of the uppermost tier of lumber when the carriage has been moved to deposit position. i

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic means for depositing sticks successively upon tiers or flights of lumber placed upon a lumber stack which includes horizontally shiftable deposit means which are coordinately operated in conjunction with the reciprocal movement of a vertically reciprocable carriage.

A further object of the invention is to provide such means for horizontal movement and deposit which may be selectively locked out in order to prevent deposit from selected magazines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stick placing machine adapted for operation in coordination with the stacking of lumber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel lift means for a Vertically reciprocable carriage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means of accurately placing a selected number of substantially uniform lumber spacing sticks in conjunction with the stacking of lumber stacks; and

A further object of the invention is generally to improve the design, construction and efficiency of vertically reciprocable carriage means with which are associated magazines for retaining and selectively depositing lumber spacing sticks.

The means by which the" foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

'FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the device as seen in FIG. 1, with parts broken away for illustration.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken as on the line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken as on the line V-V of FIGS. 1 and 2 on a scale similar to the scale of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on a similarly enlarged scale taken as on the line VIVI of FIG. '1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken as on the line VII-VII of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating other features of the device taken as on the line VIII-NIH of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view at one corner of the device illustrating the relationship between the respective corners of the vertically reciprocable carriage and the upright trackway supports.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic and diagrammatic side view illustrating the relationship of the stick placer of the present invention to a lumber stacker just prior to the entry of a flight of lumber into the area of the stick placer.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating the relationship of the stick placer relative to the lumber stacker as the positioning of the lumber flight is continued.

FIG. 12 is a further view similar to FIG. illustrating the relationship of the parts of the stick placer as the flight of lumber is being deposited upon the lumber stack.

FIG. 13 is a view similar toFIG. 10 illustrating the relationship of the elements with the lumber placing forks of the lumber stacker fully retracted and preparatory to picking up the next flight of lumber.

FIG. 14 is a schematic and diagrammatic rear view in fragmentary form illustrating the relationship of the parts as seen in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating relationship of the parts as seen in FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating relationship of the parts as seen in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating relationship of the parts as seen in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the piping and relationship between the various hydraulic instrumentalities utilized in the invention; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electrical circuits utilized therein.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the stick placing means of the present invention are essentially carried and mounted upon a vertically reciprocable carriage 21, which is of a substantially rectangular elongated formation including front and rear elongated beams 23, which are preferably formed from I-beams or other structural members. These beams at their opposite terminals are interconnected by outer beams 26. Outer beams 26 are rigidly fixed to the beams 23, preferably as by welding, to provide a rectangular frame. Internally of one of the beams 26 carriage 21 is further bolstered by an additional beam 28 which is slightly less in length than the beams 26, and the flanges of additional beam 28 are rigidly fixed to the web of the beams 23 respectively, preferably as by welding, in order to provide additional abutment and support for the devices carried by the carriage.

Adjacent, but spaced a minor distance inwardly from additional side beam 28, is a cross beam 31 which spans from front beam 23 to rear beam 23 and is rigidly fixed to the beams 23, cross beam 31 being preferably also formed of a channel member similar to the beams 26, 28, and the upper and lower flanges of beam 31 may be notched out so as to permit the seating of the web of beam 31 against the respective webs of beams 23 and the edge engagement of the flanges of beam 31 with the upper and lower flanges of beams 23. Beam 31 is preferably fixed in position as by welding.

It will be observed that the area between beam 28 and cross beam 31 is an upwardly open area which is housed on its sides and ends by beams 23, 28 and 31 so as to provide a housing area, the purpose of which will be hereinafter discussed.

Between cross beam 31 and the opposite side beam 26 a plurality of additional cross braces 31 are interposed, preferably at regularly spaced intervals and respectively spanning between front and rear beams 23. The cross braces 33 are preferably formed of structural members such as I-beams, and are preferably of a depth less than the depth of the front and rear beams 23.

Carriage 21, including the structural members just described and other instrumentalities supported and mounted thereon, hereinafter to be described, is supported for vertical reciprocation by a pair of side frames 35, 36, respectively disposed at the opposite terminals of carriage 21. Each of the support frames 35, 36 comprises a vertically disposed structure which includes a pair of vertical guide members 37, which may be formed of suitable structural members such as H beams. The vertical guide members 37 are rigidly supported in upright posithe the

the

tion, being suitably mounted upon an underlying support such as the ground or a platform as indicated at 39 in FIG. 3.

Guide members 37 extend vertically upwardly from such support level 3.9, and at their upper ends are respectively interconnected by top members 4 1. Guide members 37 are spaced apart so as to embrace the width of carriage 21, with suitable shoe and stop means being connected to the front and rear beams 23, and other similar elements connected to outer beams 26 for embnacing a part of the vertical guide members 37, such as the innermost of the vertical flanges thereof, for guiding the carriage 21 in its reciprocating movement relative to the frames 35, 36

Carriage 21 is connected with frames 35, 36 by chains 43 and sprockets 45, 46. Thus frame 35 preferably includes a pair of attachment brackets 47, brackets 47 being rigidly fixed to frame 35 intermediate the height of the frame and at the opposite upright guide members 37 thereof. Chains 43 are fixed to brackets 47 as at 48, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and extend upwardly from brackets 47 to pass around sprockets 4-5. Sprockets 4-5 are fixed to a shaft 49 which extends transversely across carriage 21 spanning between front and rear beams 23, and being preferably journalled in each of the we s of the beams 23 so that sprockets 45 are mountextl externally of the webs of the front and rear beams 23, and are housed between the upper and lower flanges of the beams 23. Shaft 49 extends across the housing area heretofore mentioned defined by the beams 23, 2 8 and 31.

If desired, the chains may be continuous chains, but preferably in order to avoid sagging in the chains, chains 43 are adjustably connected as at St to connecting rods 51, which are preferably adjustable in order to minimize any such slack or sag in the chains and which rods extend from a chain 43 at one side of the device, diagonally longitudinally of carriage 21 to be connected as at 52 with a chain 43 at the opposite side of the carriage.

It will be seen that while the specific structure here is illustrated as comprising a pair of end chains at opposite sides of the carriage, with the chains being interconnected by a connecting rod, other chain interconnections between the respective elements may be employed without departing herefrom.

As stated just hereinabove, chains 43 extend. upwardly from the brackets 47 and pass around the sprockets 45. They extend therefrom toward the opposite side of carriage 21, being as stated preferably interconnected by a rod 51 to the opposite chains 43 which respectively pass below sprockets 46, sprockets 46 being carried upon an additional sprocket shaft 53 which is journalled in and spans between the webs of beams 23 adjacent to support frame 36. Chains 43 adjacent support frame 36 extend upwardly from sprockets 46 and are connected as at 54, as best shown at the right hand side of FIG. 2 and is; also shown in FIG. 3, to the top member 41 of frame For the purpose of stabilizin and maintaining carriage 21 in a standard vertical reciprocable movement, carriage 21 at each of its corners is provided with shoe and stop means for engaging with the vertical guides 37 of the respective guide and support frames 35, 36. Each of the beams 23 at their opposite ends is provided with a stop plate 55 which is rigidly fixed to the upper flange of the beam member. Carried by stop plate 55 is a shoe 57 which engages against an edge of the innermost flange of vertical guide member 37. The outer beams 26 extend slightly beyond the extremities of front and rear beams 23. At their ends the outer beams are provided with a stop plate 59 by which stop plate is carried a similar shoe 61. Plates 59 are rigidly fixed to the upper flanges of beams 26, and shoes 61 extend inwardly into engagement with the outer face of the innermost flange of each of the upright guide members 37. This arrangement is shown by way of example in FIG. 9, Which illustrates one corner of carriage 21 and its relationship to a guide member 37, a similar arrangement being employed in connection with each of the corners of the carriage 21.

It thus will be seen that, from the arrangement as described hereinabove, carriage 21 is so interconnected with support fnames 35, 36 that an upward thrust imparted to one end of carriage 21 will be immediately transmitted to and balanced at the opposite end of carriage 21 so that the carriage will be uniformly lifted in relatively level condition. One of the vertical support frames, such as frame 35, is provided with a transverse bracing and seat structure including a horizontal transversely disposed beam member 63 which spans between the vertical guide members 37 of frame 35, and is rigidly fixed thereto. Preferably the bracing and seat structure includes diagonally disposed structural members 65, which at their upper ends are connected substantially at the middle of horizontal brace member 63 and respectively extend diagonally downwardly and outwardly from such connection to be connected at their lower ends to the respective upright guide members 37, preferably adjacent support level 39. Preferably horizontal brace 63 includes an upper flange 66 which is horizontally disposed and provides a seat for a single-action hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 67.

Actuatable by and included in cylinder and piston as sembly 67 is a piston rod 69 which is vertically extensible from the cylinder of the assembly and is adapted for re turn into the assembly. At its upper end piston rod 69 is connected with and bears against outer beam 26 so that a thrust extending piston rod 69 from assembly 67 will act against the under surface of beam 26 and consequent ly upon carriage 21. This thrust at one end of the carriage is transmitted through the chain and sprocket connections hereinabove described directly to the opposite end of the carriage so as to equalize the effect of the lift being exerted by the thrust at the one end.

Fluid flow to and from hydraulic assembly 67 is delivered through a line 71 which is communicated through a three-way electrically operated solenoid valve 7.3 and line 74- to a main fluid supply line 75 as at 76, fluid line 75 being communicated with a pump 77. Preferably, as best shown in FIG. 3, valve 73 is mounted upon horizonal surface 66 of brace 63.

Valve 73 provides the primary flow directional control for the hydraulic instrumentalities utilized in the present invention, and is of substantially conventional construction and operation familiar to those skilled in the art so that the details of construction are not here necessary. A return fluid line 78 leads from valve 75 for connection as at 79 into a main return fluid flow line 80 leading to a sump 81. Sump 31 is suitably connected as by a pipe 82 to pump 77.

Mounted upon carriage 21 adjacent side support frame 3-5 is an upstanding rack 83 which includes legs respec tively seated upon and fixed to carriage 21, one of the legs preferably being seated upon and fixed to outer beam 26 and additional beam 28 at one side of rack 83-, and the other of the legs of the rack being seated upon and fixed to cross beam 31. Preferably rack 83 is inset so as to lie intermediate the front and rear beams '23 of carriage 21, and so that the rack overlies the housing area heretofore described defined by beams 23, 28 and 31.

The legs of rack 83 are interconnected at their upper ends by an upper member 84- to which is hingedly connected, as at 85, a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 87, this assembly being a double action assembly and depending from the hinged connection 35 to position the piston rod 89 of assembly 87 to extend downwardly into the carriage 21 within the housing area mentioned hereinabove.

At its lower end piston rod 89 is connected with an arm 91 which is fixed to a shaft 93 extending across the above mentioned housing area and lying intermediate the front and read beams 23 of carriage 21. below the upper extremities thereof. Preferably shaft 93 is journalled in bearings 95, which are supported from structural members 97 which extend from and are secured to cross beam 31 and inner beam 23. Preferably each of the beams 97 are cut out, as at 99 shown in FIG. 6, to provide for the passage thereby of sprocket shaft 43 Connected to the opposite ends of shaft 93 respectively forwardly and rearwardly :of bearings 95, and also respectively adjacent front and rear beams 23, are shift arms 1&1. The arms 101 are disposed substantially at 99 degrees relative to the arm 91 which is connected to piston rod 89. Each of arms lill is connected as by a link 103 to a rod MP5. Rods 105 are slidably mounted to extend through beam 31 and cross braces 33, and rods 1G5 extend substantially from end to end of carriage 21. It will be seen that upon extension of rod 89 by the operation of cylinder and piston assembly 87 arm 91 will be depressed, rotating shaft 93 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 6, and effecting a shift of rods 1&5 toward support frame 35, and upon retraction of piston rod 89 by the opposite operation of assembly 87 shaft 93 is oppositely rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 18 in order to effect an opposite shift of rods away from support frame 35.

The hydraulic operation of assembly 87 is controlled through a valve 107, which is preferably supported within the housing area, mentioned hereinabove, as by connection to cross beam 3'1 intermediate the upper and lower flanges thereof.

Supply line and return line 84 respectively communicate into valve 137. Valve 107 is an electrically operated solenoid controlled four-way valve of substan- 'tially conventional construction, the details and operation of which are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be set forth. Valve 107 communicates as by a fluid flow line 109 into the uppermost part of the cylinder of assembly 87 to provide for flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to and from the upper end of the cylinder. A further fluid flow line 111 communicates into the lower end of the cylinder of assembly 87 to provide for fluid flow under pressure to and from the lower end of that cylinder.

In the conventional operation of valve 73, which is a so-called self-centering valve, it is normally positioned in neutral or hold position and is urged to return to that position so as to interrupt communication to and from the cylinder of assembly 67. The valve may be shifted to a supply or lift position establishing communication between flow lines 74 and 71 into assembly 67, with flow through line 78 being blocked, or it may be shifted to a discharge or lower position interrupting flow through line "74 toward assembly 67 and establishing communication between lines 71 and 78 into return line so that carriage 21 under the influence of gravity may descend with the hydraulic fluid returning to the sump. Valve N7 is a so-called no-detent valve and is of the conventional type adapted to be shifted in one direction by a solenoid to establish communication between return line 80 and line 109, concurrently establishing communication between supply line 75 and line 111, or it may be shifted to establish communication between supply line 75 and line 109 and, concurrently, communication between return line 80 and line 111. As stated, these valve operations are conventional and the details of the construction and operation of these valves is not otherwise believed to be material.

It will be seen that, when valve 73 is shifted to the supply position just described, fluid under pressure is fed into the cylinder of assembly 67 and effects a vertical lift of carriage 21. When the valve is shifted to the hold position just described, which occurs as will hereinafter be described when the carriage has reached its upper limit of travel, flow to or from assembly 67 is blocked, thus holding the carriage in elevated position, and when this position is released and the valve is moved to the discharge position the carriage descends by gravity, the weight of the carriage being effective to cause the discharge of fluid from assembly 67 to return into the fluid flow lines to the sump.

Additionally it will be noted that when valve 107 is shifted into one flow position assembly 87 is activated to extend piston rod 8 9 and effect shift of rods 105 in one direction toward support frame 35, and, in the opposite position of flow communication for assembly 37, piston rod 89 is retracted into the assembly effecting shift of rods 165 in the opposite direction away from support frame 35.

Mounted upon and carried by the carriage 21 are a plurality of stick-retaining magazines 113 which extend fore-and-aft between and are fixed to the front and rear beams of carriage 21. The magazines 113 are adapted to control and contain a plurality of vertically stacked spacing sticks 115. Each magaizne 113 includes a pair of opposite upstanding end structures which comprise a vertically disposed end plate 117, end plates 117 being respectively rigidly fixed to the inner edges of front and rear beams 23 and extending vertically above the front and rear beams.

Spaced somewhat inwardly from each of the end plates is a pair of vertical guide rods 119, 120 which are spaced apart to receive and embrace the width of a plurality of horizontally parallel sticks 115 arranged in a vertically disposed stack. At their uppermost ends each end plate 117 is connected with its related pair of guide rods 119,

120 as by a U-shaped bracket 121 by which the upper end of the end plate and the guide rods are rigidly fixed and maintained in position. At the upper flange of beam 23 a further bracket 123 is provided for each of the magazine end sections, with bracket 123 extending into overlying relationship with the upper portion of I-beam 23 and being rigidly fixed thereto, and further embracing the end plate and related guide rods and being rigidly fixed thereto to maintain the guide rods and end plate in relationship to the I-beam. A similar lower bracket 125 is provided which is fixed to the lower flange and undersurface of I-beam 23 and embraces and is rigidly fixed to the end plate and guide rods so as to further fix the end sections of stick magazines 113 to the respective front and rear beams 25.

It will be observed that the magazine end plates extend vertically along the inner edges of the flanges of the front and rear Lbeams 23 so that a channelway is defined outwardly from the end plates and between the upper and lower flanges of the T-beam along the webs of such 1- beam. At their upper ends guide rods 119, 1251, which are preferably tubular, may be provided with inserts 127 which each include an angled surface as at 125, surfaces 129 related with each pair of guide rods 119, 120 being angled downwardly and inwardly toward the space between the guide rods, and being adapted to assist in guiding sticks 115 as the same are inserted into the stick magazines.

One of the guide rods of each pair, as the guide rods 12%, has rigidly fixed to its lower end a slideway 131 of substantially rectangular cross section, each of the slide ways 131 being centrally open to permit slideway move ment therethrough. Slidably mounted in each slideway 131 is a stick shifting tongue 133. At one end tongues 133 are provided with a thinned out leading section 135 which extends beyond slideway 131 underlying in retracted position the stack of sticks Within the magazine and projecting beyond the opposite guide rod 119. Preferably guide rods 119 are cut off along an angled surface, as at 137, a distance above the upper surface of tongue section 135 in excess of the thickness of a single stick 115, but less than the combined thickness of a pair of superposed sticks 115.

The main body 139 of each tongue 133 is of increased thickness relative to leading tongue section 135 and is of a thickness slightly less than the thickness of a single 8 stick 115. At its trailing end body 13? of each tongue is fixed to a transversely extending rod 141 which extends fore and aft across carriage 21 and is supported adjacent its opposite ends and outwardly of end plates 117 from brackets 143, brackets 143 being rigidly fixed to and shiftable with rods 1115 heretofore mentioned.

It will be observed that where leading section 135 joins body 13? of each tongue 133 there is provided an abutment shoulder 145 which is adapted to engage against an edge of a stick 115 and pursuant to movement of the tongue 153 to efiect shift of the stick. It will further be seen that since tongues 133 on opposite parts of carriage 21 are interconnected by cross rods 141 conjoint movement of pairs of tongues is thereby provided, and upon the shift of rods pursuant to the operation of cylinder and piston assembly 87 rods 105 and tongues 133 thus connected with rods 1115 are correspondingly shifted. Thus as rods 1115 are shifted toward frame 35, or toward the lefthand part of FIGS. 4 and 6, the tongues are extended from beneath the magazines and abutments 145 engage the lowermost stick which has been theretofore supported upon leading thin portion 135 and cause the same to shift with the tongues, the next superjacent stick 115 being supported against downward movement by the thicker body 139 of the respective tongues.

As the tongues and sticks are thus extended from beneath the stick magazines, the leading edge of the stick engages against the nose of a hook 147 of a gravity urged dog 149 pivotally supported as at 151 from a support 153 depending from cross braces 33. The engagement of the stick with the nose of hook 147 causes the dog to move upwardly, permitting passage of the stick thereunder, and after the passage of the stick thereunder the dog returns by gravity to overlie the stick and with the interior of hook 147 engaging against the trailing edge of the stick. It will be seen that dogs 149 are supported slightly offset from the aiinement of guide rods 11%, to permit the passage of sticks 115 from beneath the guide rods and the engagement thereby with the dogs.

it will further be seen that the opposite operation of assembly 87 effects opposite shift of rods 105 away from frame 35, or toward the righthand part of FIGS. 4 and 6, correspondingly retracting tongues 133 with rods 1115 to return beneath magazines 113, thus moving the tongues away from the support of the extended sticks 115 previously supported upon the thinned end portions of tongues 133, the extended sticks 115 being prevented from opposite shifting movement with the tongues by the engagement of the trailing edges of the sticks with dogs 14?. Thus the retraction of tongues 133 causes deposit of sticks therefrom.

In some instances it is found desirable to modify the number of sticks which are to be deposited from the magazines in a selective pattern, or under other circumstances to eliminate the deposit of sticks from the magazines. For this purpose each magazine 113 is provided at its respective front and rear ends with lockout means which are adapted to support sticks 115 within a selected magazine or magazines 113 above the level of reciprocable movement of tongues 133 so as to prevent the engagement of a lowermost stick of any of the selected magazines from shifting movement in conjunction with the tongue pursuant to shift movement of the rods 105.

Connected to and depending below the respective front and rear beams 23 and respectively in alinement with magazines 113 are brackets 155. To brackets 155 are hinged, as at 157, stick engaging blocks 159. 'It will be seen, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, that bracket-s 155 are positioned outwardly from end plates 117 and that blocks 159 extend inwardly from brackets 155 to underlie the end portions of magazine-contained sticks 115, projecting inwardly to a point intermediate end plates 117 and guide rods 119, 12%.

To each block 159 the lower end of an upwardly extending pull strap 151 is fixed. Pull straps 161 are respectively connected at their upper ends as by links 163 to the offset ends 165 of rods 167. Each magazine 113 is provided with a rod 167 and a pair of pull straps 161 connected therewith by links 163, and at their lower ends connected with blocks 159, so that each magazine is provided with a pair of lockout blocks operatively connected to the pull straps and turn rods at the opposite ends of the magazine.

Each of rods 167 is provided with at least one handle 169, and the rods are journalled in suitable bushings connected with opposite front and rear guide rods of the magazines 113 such as guide rods 119. It will be seen that when any of handles 169 is lifted the turn rod 167 to which it is connected will be rotated, elevating its offset ends 165 and causing upward movement of its connected pull straps 161, elevating the inner ends of its associated blocks 159 about their pivots 157 so as to shift the blocks from the position shown in FIG. to the position shown in FIG. 8 in which the blocks are raised upwardly beneath the ends of the sticks within the magazine and elevate the same above the level of reciprocal movement of the tongue associated therewith.

It will be seen that the handles may be selectively rotated in this manner in order to elevate the blocks and lock out the sticks from discharge from any one or more of magazines 113, and that the handles may be reversely moved to return the blocks to their normal horizontal position and return the lowermost of the sticks in the magazine to position for subsequent engagement by tongues 113 under rod operated shift of the tongues.

In order to coordinate the operations of the various instrumentalities of the stick placing means of the present invention, a number of electrical controls are provided, the majority of which are operated by the mechanical actuation of switches during the cycle of operation of the device. The device includes an upper limit switch 171, which is preferably a doubleathrow switch of conventional operation and detail encased in a suitable housing and mounted upon one of the upright side frames, such as frame 36, adjacent its upper extremity.

Switch 171 is provided with a pair of terminals 176, 174, which are normally closed by a suitable switch bar, either by spring or other suitable conventional means indicated by the arrow 175 (FIG. 19). It includes an additional pair of terminals 177, 178 toward which a switch bar contained in switch 171 may be shifted by mechanical action as upon an arm 179 against the normally closing force, interrupting any circuit through terminals 173, 17 i, and connecting terminals 177, 178. Arm 179 projects from the housing of switch 171 into the path of carriage 21 on its upward movement, preferably being projected into the path of beam 26 adjacent to frame 36. Upon release of restraint upon arm 179, switch 171 is released, and under its normal action returns to its normal position with connection made across terminals 173, 174. Additionally, and for purposes to be hereinafter pointed out, a shunt 180 interconnects terminals 174, 178.

Supported intermediate the length of carriage 21, as by mounting upon one of cross braces 33, is an initial activating switch 181. Switch 181 is preferably a singlethrow switch which includes a pair of terminals 183, 134. Connected with the terminal bar of switch 181 and projecting outwardly through the housing for switch 181 is a tilt lever 185, which is pivotally supported outwardly from the terminal bar of switch 181 and is gravity biased to normally extend downwardly and rearwardly from substantially the side to side midline of carriage 21 toward the rearmost of beams 23, and to extend thus diagonally below the level of the lowermost sticks 115 in magazines 113. The gravity bias on tilt lever 185 is indicated by the arrow 186. Thus switch 181 under the gravity biased action of tilt lever 185 is normally open, and upon engagernent of tilt lever 185 elevating the lever the switch is moved to closed position, the terminal bar completing the circuit across the terminals 183, 184.

, lar relationship to each arm 193 so as Extending across carriage 21 is a fore-and-aft disposed, vertically reciprocable feeler bar 137. Bar 137 is rigidly fixed to a pair of upwardly extending hangers 189 which are each provided with vertically extending slots 191. Extending inwardly from the respective front and rear members 23 are rigidly fixed arms 193 which extend into and through slots 191 in hangers 189. inwardly of hangers 139 an abutment member 195 is rigidly fixed in anguto extend laterally away from feeler bar 187 and hangers 189. Mounted respectively upon hangers 139 below slots 191 are a pair of switches 197, which are conventionally housed, and are preferably, as will hereinafter be pointed out, electrically connected in parallel, each of switches 197 being a double-throw switch.

Peeler bar switches 197 each include a pair of terminals 199, 2.06, which are maintained in normally open condition by a spring or other suitable means indicated by arrows 2 31. Each of these switches also includes an additional pair of terminals 203, 2' 4. The switches are provided with actuating arms 2G5 which project from the housings of the switches into the path of movement toward abutments 195, which upon upward movement of the feeler bar engage switch arms 285 actuating the same to shift the switches against the normal action of the switches so as to break the contact between terminals 263, 2114, and to make contact between terminals 199, 200. As best shown in FIG. 19 terminals 261 are interconnected by a tie line 2'97, and terminals 199 are electrically interconnected by a tie line 233. Terminals 2-64 are interconnected by a tie line 209, and in addition terminals 199 and 2113 of each of switches 197 are interconnected as by a shunt 210.

As has been heretofore described, upon the operation of assembly 87 the extension or retraction of piston rod 89 effects rotation or counter-rotation of shaft 93. Connected with shaft 93 are a pair of collars 211, 212 which are fixed to shaft 93 for rotation therewith. To collar 21 1 is rigidly connected a radially projecting lug 214, and to collar 212 is rigidly connected a radially projecting lug 215. Each of lugs 214, 215 is positioned respectively to engage switches upon the rotation and subsequent counter-rotation of shaft 93.

Thus a switch 217 is mounted preferably upon one of supports 97 in adjacency to collar 211 and its lug 214. Switch 217 is normally open, the arrow 219 indicating the conventional force applied thereto and the switch 217 includes terminals 221), 221. It will be seen that when shaft 93 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B (FIG. 19), lug 21 i acts upon switch 217 to establish contact between terminals 220 and 221.

Lug 215, which radially projects from shaft 93 and is circumferentially spaced from the projection of lug 214 from shaft 93, is eliective to cause operation of a switch 223. Switch 7.23 is a double'throw switch which includes a pair of normally closed terminals 225, 226 normally maintained in contact by the force indicated by arrow 227. Switch 223 further includes an additional pair of terminals 229, 230, which are brought into electrical connection by the rotation of shaft 93 in the direction of the arrow R (FIG. 19) so as to break the contact between terminals 225, 226, and to make the contact between terminals 229, 231

Valves 73 and 1&7, as has been previously indicated, are solenoid operated valves of substantially conventional construction. Thus valve 73 includes a solenoid 232 having opposite terminals 233, 234, and which is connected with valve 73 for shifting the valve to thepreviously described carriage raising position, establishing communication between flow lines 71, '74, into assembly 67. The valve assembly 73 further includes an additional solenoid 236 with terminals 237, 238, which is effective to shift valve 73 to the carriage lowering position in which fiow is shut off through line '74 and communication is established between lines 71, 73 into the return line 811. When 1 l the circuits through solenoids 232, 236 are deenergized valve 73 is of the construction to return to center in conventional operation so as to interrupt how to and from the cylinder and piston assembly 67.

Valve 167 is provided with an extend solenoid 24%) having terminals 241, 242, which is adapted when energized to operate valve 167 and to establish communication between flow lines 75 and 1% into the cylinder of assembly 87 for extending rod 89 therefrom, concurrently establishing communication between lines 11 1 and 85 to return from the lower end of assembly 87, and thus to rotate shaft 93 so as to extend rods 1% concurrently extending tongues 133. Valve 197 is further provided with a retract solenoid 244 having terminals 245, 2%, solenoid 2441 being adapted when energized to reversely shift valve 107 so as to establish communication between lines 75 and 111 and how lines 1 39 and 8b in order to cause retraction of the piston rod 89 into assembly 87 and to counter-rotate shaft 93 so as to effect retraction of rods 1% retracting tongues 133 as heretofore described. Valve 167 being a no-detent valve, upon the deenergization of either of solenoids 2.40, 244 no immediate shift of the valve is thereby occasioned.

To initiate the operation of the device a substantially conventional starter mechanism is provided, which includes a start-stop switch 248. One terminal 2 ,9 of switch 248 is connected, as at 256), to an incoming lead 251 from a suitable source of power, preferably being supplied as three-phase power. An additional incoming line 252 from the power source is connected, as at 253, to a lead 254 to a starter coil 255, starter coil 255 being connected to an opposite terminal 256 of starter switch 248 as by a lead 2E7. When starter contact 259 is closed with terminal 249, starter coil 255 is energized acting in conventional fashion to close the gang switches 261, thus eflecting electrical communication with the source of power between power line 251 and a line 263, power line 252 and a line 265, and between a power line 267 and a line 269. Lines 263, 265, are are directly connected with pump motor 77 so that upon the energization of the circuit as described the pump motor is put into operation.

Line 263 is connected as by a lead 271 to terminal 173 of switch 171, and is connected by a lead 273 to feeler bar switch terminals 263. Line 269 is connected as by a lead 275 to terminal 24-1 of extend solenoid 24%. Lead 269 is further connected as by a lead 277 to terminal 246 of retract solenoid 24 i and is connected as by a lead 279 to raise solenoid terminal 23 Terminal 177 of upper limit switch 171 is connected as by a lead 231 to terminal 184 of tilt lever switch 181. Terminal 183 of tilt lever switch 181 is connected as by a lead 233 to terminal 24-2 of extend solenoid 240.

Terminal 229 of extend actuated switch 217 is connected as by a lead 235 to terminal 237 of lowering solenoid 23d. Terminal 22d of switch 217 is connected as by a lead 287 to one of feeler bar switch terminals 2%.

Terminal 238 of lowering solenoid 23% is connected as by a lead 289 into lead 277 connected into line 26). One of feeler bar switch terminals 2% is connected as by a lead 231 to terminal 226 of retract actuated switch 223. Terminal 225 of switch 223 is connected as by a lead 293 to terminal 245 of retract solenoid 244. Terminal 2-29 of retract actuated switch 223 is connected as by a lead 295 to terminal 173 of upper limit switch 171. Terminal 239 of switch 223 is connected as by a lead 297 to terminal 233 of raise solenoid 232.

Preferably the device is coordinated for use in conjunction with a lumber stacker 299, which may be of the type described the patents previously mentioned. For this purpose leads 391, 362 are connected to upper limit switch terminals 177, 178, and extend therefrom into a stacker starter 3&3 which comprises a series of gang switches magnetically closed by energization, as when the leads 301, 302 are connected through the switch 12 '171 with the initial source of power, and which thereafter maintain proper delivery of power for the operation of lumber stacker 299.

Lumber stacker 299 is illustrated as including a series of forks 365 which are adapted to pick up a flight of lumber 3G7 and to stack the same upon a lumber stack 399. In order to maintain the alinement of the rearward edges of successive flights of lumber 307 the carriage 21 is provided with a plurality of depending stop members 311 which are fixed to and depend below rear beam 23 of carriage 21. it Will be observed that carriage 21 straddles the lumber stack W9 and that the successive flights of lumber 3G7 introduced to the stack by the stacker forks 385 are inserted beneath the carriage of the stick placing means. It will further be observed, as more particularly described in the patents mentioned hereinabove, that the stacker forks carry a flight of lumher 367 into the area of the lumber stack 309 and elevated above the lumber stack, that the stacker forks are lowered so as to carry the flight of lumber downwardly into closely overlying relationship with the lumber stack, and that thereafter the stacker forks are withdrawn or retracted away from the lumber stack, and that this operation is subsequently repeated for the placing of further flights of lumber 3G7 upon the stack.

In the operation of the device, the stanter switch 248 is operated to energize the starter .coil 255 and close gang switches 261, thus communicating the source of power represented by 'lines 251, 252, 267 with lines 263, 265, 269 into pump motor 77, thus energizing the pump motor and initiating the operation. When carriage 21 is or has been moved to the upper position the actuation of switch arm 179 by beam 26 shifts switch 171 to the position illustrated in FIG. 19, connecting terminals 177, 178, and stacker 239 is energized through leads 30-1, 352 to stacker starter 303. it will be observed that the stacker is not operable initially until the stick placing carriage is in the up raised position.

With the carriage in (this position upper limit switch 171 has been actuated to interconnect terminals 177, 173 against the normal action of the switch, and tilt lever hangs diagonally downwardly from carriage 21 extending diagonally rearwardly toward rear beams 23. Otherwise, the switching and solenoids of the system are in the further condition illustrated in FIG. 19. When stacker 299 introduces a flight of lumber 307 beneath carriage 21, the rearward part of the flight of lumber relative to the stick placing means engages tilt lever 185, elevating same away from its diagonally disposed position and closing switch 181 across terminals 183, 184, thus creating a circuit from terminal 183 through lead 283 into extend solenoid 240, from extend solenoid 240 through lead 275 into power line 269, through the gang switches 161 into power line 263 and by lead 271 into upper limit switch 171 and across terminals 177, 178 into lead 281 to return into the terminal 184, energizing extend solenoid 240* to shift valve 107 to the position in which rod 89 is extended, causing rotation of shaft 93 in the direction of arrow E, extending rods M5 to pull with them and extend tongues 133. As tongues 133 are thus extended shoulders engage the trailing edges of the lowermost sticks v115 in each of the magazines 1-13, moving the same outwardly beneath the dogs 149, with the remainder of sticks 115 being supported upon the thickened main body 139 of tongues 133.

When the operation of assembly 87 through the energization of extend solenoid 240 is completed lug 214 has been shifted by the rotation of shaft 93 to effect closure of switch 217 energizing the lowering solenoid 236 by a circuit from terminal 22% through lead 285 into terminal 237 of solenoid 236, and from solenoid 236 through lead 283 into lead 277, thence into line 269 to return from the gang switches through line 263, lead 273 into and across switches 197, and outwardly from 13 Switches 197 through lead 287 to terminal 221 of switch 217.

Thus valve 73 is shifted to establish lowering communication of assembly 67 with the hydraulic system and under the weight of the device the carriage moves downwardly by gravity. As the device approaches in its downward movement the upper extremity of lumber stack 3G9, feeler bar 187 comics into engagement with the lumber stack. Bar 187 is moved upwardly relative to arms 193 and abutments 195 so as to shift switches 1%7, at the full extent of relative upward travel of the feeler bar. When the carriage has reached substantially the level where the underlying tongues 133 are but a minimum distance above the upper level of the lumber stack, the engagement of switches 197 against abutments .195 effects shift of the switches 197 breaking the circuits across terminals 203, i and thus interrupting the cirunit to the lowering solenoid so as 'to return valve '73 to its normally centered neutral position in which the carriage is maintained at its then established level.

This shift of switches 197 concurrently establishes a circuit across terminals 199, 200, which passes from terminal 204) through lead 291 across terminals 225', 226 of retract switch 223, thence through lead 293 to termi nal 245 of solenoid 244, from{ terminal 246 of solenoid 244 through lead 277 into line 2%, thence from line 263 through lead 273 into terminal 2&3 of switch 197, thence across shunt 216* to terminal 199. Thus retract solenoid 44 is energized to effect operation of valve 187 and to shift the same to the position of retracting piston rod 89 to effect counter-rotation of shaft 23 in the direction indicated by the arrow R, moving the lug 215 to act upon switch 223 and interrupt the circuit across terminals 225, 226 while making contact across the terminals 229, 2%.

This operation is effective upon the completion of the full retraction counter-rotation of shaft 93, and interrupts the circuit to retract solenoid 244 while establishing a circuit to raise solenoid 232. This circuit leads from terminal 229 through lead 295 into terminal 173 of limit switch 171 which has been closed by the force action as indicated by arrow 175 to communicate terminal 173 with terminal 174. The circuit continues across shunt 180 into terminal 178, thence through lead 271 into line 263 and from line 265? through lead 275 into lead 279, thence to terminal 234 of raise solenoid 232, from terminal 233 of solenoid 232 through lead 297 into terminal 234 of switch 233. Thus the valve '73 is shifted to actuate cylinder and piston assembly 67 so as to elevate the carriage, permitting the gravity relative lowering of feeler bar 187 returning switches 197 to their normal condition as shown in FIG. 19, interrupting the circuit to retract solenoid 244, and permitting the gravity biased operation of tilt lever 185 opening switch 181, with the connection between terminals 229, 239 of switch 233 being maintained by the physical position of lug 215 against the switch.

When the carriage reaches its upper limit, switch arm 179 engages beam 26 and shifts switch 171 to the position shown in FIG. 19, thus interrupting the circuit to raise solenoid 232, and positioning the device and its controls for a subsequent cycle of operation.

It will be observed that sticks 115 to be placed by the device are extended from beneath their respective maga zines 113 at the uppermost position of the carriage and are carried downwardly in such extended position, and that the retraction of tongues 133 from supporting position beneath sticks 115 is accomplished only when the carriage has reached and come to rest at a position substantially in adjacency to the upper surface of the lumber stack, thus providing for placing of the sticks in accurate alinement and positioning upon the upper surface of the lumber stack.

I claim:

1. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placing spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, upright support means adjacent the opposite sides of said carriage, said carriage slidably engaging said support means for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superjacency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, hydraulic lift means mounted on one support means at one end of said carriage and engaging said carriage for exerting lift on said one end of said carriage under hydraulic actuation of said lift means, interconnected chain and sprocket means carried by said carriage and attached respectively to said support means transmitting lift exerted on said one end to the other end of said carriage for uniform vertical movement of said carriage, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage means in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shiftable tongue means connected to said ma azine means; and underlying said sticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retracted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means and including abutment shoulders engaging and shifting the lowermost of said sticks during shift of said tongue means toward extended condition to effect shift of said lowermost sticks away from said magazine means, elongated rods supported by said carriage connected to said tongue means for concurrently shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, said rods being linked to a shaft journalled fore and aft of said carriage, hydraulic actuating means connected to said shaft for effecting shaft rotation and rod shift to cause shift of said tongues to extended condition and shaft counter rotation and opposite rod shift to cause shift of said tongues to said retracted condition, a tilt lever pivoted to and depending diagonally below said carriage disposed in the path of and for contact by a layer of lumber being delivered toward said stack, said lever being connected to actuate said hydraulic actuating means for shaft rotation and rod and tongue shift to said extended condition when contacted by a layer of lumber under delivery, said shaft rotation effecting release of said hydraulic lift means for gravity descent of said carriage, a vertically shiftable feeler bar depending below said carriage, means operatively connecting said feeler bar to said hydraulic lift means and to said hydraulic actuating means, said feeler bar being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said h draulic actuating means for shaft counter rotation and rod and tongue shift to said retracted condition, dog means engaging said extended lowermost sticks and preventing stick retraction with said tongue shift whereby said tongue means retract from said extended sticks to place said extended sticks upon said stack, said shaft counter rotation after retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said hydraulic lift means to effect lift of said carriage to said raised position.

2. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placin spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, means supporting said carriage for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superjacency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, hydraulic lift means engaging said carriage for exerting lift on said carriage under hydraulic actuation of said lift means, means carried by said carriage trans mi-tting lift exerted on said carriage for uniform vertical movement of said carriage, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage means in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shif-table tongue means connected to said magazine means and underlying said sticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retracted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means and including abutment shoulders engaging and shifting the lowermost of said sticks during shift of said tongue means toward extended condition to effect shift of said lowermost stick away from said magazine means, elongated rods supported by said carriage connected to said tongue means for concurrently shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, said rods being linked to a shaft journalled fore and aft of said carriage, hydraulic actuating means connected to said shaft for effecting shaft rotation and rod shift to cause shift of said tongues to extended condition and shaft counter rotation and opposite rod shift to cause shift of said tongues to said retracted condition, a tilt lever pivoted to and depending diagonally below said carriage disposed in the path of and for contact by a layer of lumber being delivered toward said stack, said lcver being connected to actuate said hydraulic actuating means for shaft rotation and rod and tongue shift to said extended condition when contacted by a layer of lumber under delivery, said shaft rotation effecting release of said hydraulic lift means for gravity descent of said carriage, a vertically shiftable feeler bar depending elow said carriage, means operat'vely connecting said feeler bar to said hydraulic lift means and to said hydraulic actuating means, said feeler bar being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said hydraulic actuating means for shaft counter rotation and rod and tongue shift to said retracted condition, dog means engaging said extended lowermost sticks and preventing stick retraction with said tongue shift whereby said tongue means retract from said extended sticks to place said extended sticks upon said stack, said shaft counter rotation after retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said hydraulic lift means to effect lift of said carriage to said raised position.

3. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placing spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, means supporting said carriage for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superjacency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, hydraulic lift means engaging said carriage for exerting lift on said carriage under hydraulic actuation of said lift means, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage mean in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shiftable tongue means connected to said magazine means and underlying said ticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retracted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means and including abutment shoulders engaging and shifting the lowermost of said sticks during shift of said tongue means toward extended condition to effect shift of said lowermost sticks away from said magazine means, shift means connected to said tongue means for concurrently shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, hydraulic actuating means connected to said shift means to cause shift of said tongues to extended condition and opposite shift of said tongues to said retracted condition, a tilt lever pivoted to and depending diagonally below said carriage disposed in the path of and for contact by a layer of lumber being delivered toward said stack, said lever being connected to actuate said hydraulic actuating means for tongue shift to said extended condition when contacted by a layer of lumber under delivery, and release 'of said hydraulic lift means upon completion of said tongue shift to extended condition for gravity descent of said carriage, a vertically shiftable feeler bar depending below said carriage, means operatively connecting said feeler bar to said hydraulic lift means and to said hydraulic actuating means, said feeler bar being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said hydraulic actuating means for tongue shift to said retracted condition, dog means engaging said extended lowermost sticks and preventing stick retraction with said tongue shift whereby said tongue means retract from said extended sticks to place said extended sticks upon said stack, completion of retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said hydraulic lift means to effect lift to said carriage to said raised position.

4. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placing spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, means supporting said carriage for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superjacency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, hydraulic lift means engaging said carriage for exerting lift on said carriage under hydraulic actuation of said lift means, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage means in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shiftable tongue means connected to said magazine means and underlying said sticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retracted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means and including abutment shoulders engaging and shifting the lowermost of said sticks during extending shift of said tongue means toward extended condition to effect shift of said lowermost sticks away from said magazine means, shift means connected to said tongue means for concurrently shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, actuating means connected to said shift means for effecting alternately shift of said tongues to extended condition and opposite shift of said tongues to said retracted condition, lever means disposed in the path of and for contact by a layer of lumber being delivered toward said stack, said lever means being connected to actuate said actuating means for tongue shift to said extended condition when contacted by a layer of lumber under delivery and release of said hydraulic lift means upon completion of said tongue shift to extended condition for gravity descent of said carriage, a vertically shiftable feelcr bar depending below said carriage, means operatively connecting said feeler bar to said hydraulic lift means and to said ctuating means, said feeler bar being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said actuating means for tongue shift to said retracted condition, .dog means engaging said extended lowermost sticks and preventing stick retraction with'said tongue shift whereby said tongue means retract from said extended sticks to place said extended sticks upon said stack, completion of retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said hydraulic. lift means to effect lift of said carriage to said raised position.

5. In combination with means for .delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placing spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, means supporting said carriage for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superjacency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, hydraulic lift means engaging said carriage for exerting lift on said carriage under hydraulic actuation of said lift means, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage means in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shiftable tongue means connected to said magazine means and underlying said sticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retracted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means and including abutment shoulders engaging and shifting the lowermost of said sticks during extending shift of said tongue means toward said extended condition to effect shift of said lowermost sticks away from said magazine means, means for concurrently alternately shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, lever means disposed in the path of and for contact by a layer of lumber being delivered toward said stack, said lever means being connected to actuate said means for shifting said tongues to effect tongue shift to said extended condition when contacted by a layer of lumber under delivery and release of said hydraulic lift means upon completion of said tongue shift to extended condition for gravity descent of said carriage, a vertically shift-able feeler bar depending below said carriage, means operatively connecting said feeler bar to said hydraulic lift means and to said means for shifting said tongues, said feeler bar being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said means for shifting said tongues to effect tongue shift to said retracted condition and place said extended sticks upon said stack, completion of retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said hydraulic lift means to effect lift of said carriage to said raised position.

6. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placing spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, means supporting said carriage for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superjacency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, lift means engaging said carriage for effecting vertical reciprocation of said carriage, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage means in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shiftable tongue means connected to said magazine means and underlying said sticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retnacted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means and including abutment shoulders engaging and shifting the lowermost of said sticks during extending shift of said tongue means toward said extended condition to effect shift of said lowermost sticks away from said magazine means, means for concurrently alternately shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, means connected to actuate said means for shifting said tongues to effect tongue shift to said extended condition responsive to delivery of a layer of lumber and release of said lift means upon completion of said tongue shift to extended condition for gravity descent of said carriage, control means on said carriage, means operatively connecting said control means to said lift means and to said means for shifting said tongues, said control means being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said means for shifting said tongues to effect tongue shift to said retracted condition and place said extended sticks upon said stack, completion of retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said lift means to effect lift of said carriage to said raised position.

7. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a stack of lumber, means for placing spacing sticks upon said successive layers of lumber in said lumber stack, comprising a substantially horizontal carriage overlying the lumber stack, means supporting said carriage for vertical reciprocation from and to a raised position spaced substantially above said lumber stack to and from a lowered position in close superj-acency to the uppermost layer of lumber in said stack, lift means engaging said carriage for effecting vertical reciprocation of said carriage, a plurality of stick retaining open bottom magazine means spanning fore and aft across and carried by said carriage means in spaced relation along said carriage, a supply of horizontally disposed spacing sticks vertically stacked in said magazine means for gravity discharge from the bottoms of said magazine means, horizontally shiftable tongue means connected to said magazine means and underlying said sticks in a retracted condition limiting stick discharge from said magazine means, said tongue means being shiftable from and to said retracted condition to and from an extended condition projecting from said magazine means, means for concurrently alternately shifting said tongues to and from said conditions, means connected to actuate said means for shifting said tongues to effect tongue shift to said extended condition responsive to delivery of a layer of lumber and release of said lift means upon completion of said tongue shift to extended condition for gravity descent of said carriage, control means on said carriage, means operatively connecting said control means to said lift means and to said means for shifting said tongues, said control means being operated when said carriage has descended into proximate superjacency with said lumber stack to interrupt release of said lift means and stop carriage descent and to oppositely actuate said means for shifting said tongues to effect tongue shift to said retracted condition and place said extended sticks upon said stack, completion of retraction of said tongues effecting lift actuation of said lift means to efiect lift of said carriage to said raised position.

8. In combination with a lumber stacker for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a lumber stack, a stick placer device adapted to accurately place spacing sticks upon the uppermost layer of lumber in a lumber stack, said placer including a vertically reciprocable carriage, means for causing and controlling up and down movement of said carriage, a plurality of stick-handling magazine means mounted on said carriage, a supply of spacing sticks stacked in said magazine means, tongue means slidably connected respectively to said magazine means adjacent the opposite ends thereof engaging the lowermost stick adjacent its opposite ends for extending said lowermost stick away from the respective said magazine means transversely of the length of said lowermost stick while said carriage is up away from said stack for access of said stacker to said stack and for placing the respective extended sticks upon the lumber stack when said carriage is lowered into proximity with said stack, and means carried by said carriage effecting said placing substantially concurrently with interruption of carriage down movement in proximity to the lumber stack.

9. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a lumber stack, a stick placer device adapted to accurately place spacing sticks upon the uppermost layer of lumber in a lumber stack, said placer including a vertically reciprocable carriage, means for causing and controlling up and down movement of said carriage, a plurality of stick-handling magazine means mounted on said carriage, a supply of spacing sticks stacked in said magazine means, means connected respectively to said magazine means engaging the lowermost stick for extending said lowermost stick away from the respective said magazine means while said carriage is up away from said stack for access of said delivering means to said stack and for placing the respective extended sticks upon the lumber stack when said carriage is lowered into proximity with said stack, and means carried by said carriage effecting said placing substantially concurrently with interruption of carriage down movement in proximity to the lumber stack.

10. In combination with means for delivering and depositing successive layers of lumber on a lumber stack, a stick placer device adapted to accurately place spacing sticks upon the uppermost layer of lumber in a lumber stack, said placer including a vertically reciprocable carriage, means for causing and controlling up and down movement of said carriage, a plurality of stick-handling magazine means mounted on said carriage, a supply of spacing sticks stacked in said magazine means, means connected respectively to said magazine means engaging the lowermost stick inwardly from the opposite ends of said stick for extending said lowermost stick away from the respective said magazine means while said carriage is up away from said stack for access of said delivering means to said stack and for placing the respective extended sticks upon the lumber stack when said carriage is lowered into proximity with said stack, and means carried by said carriage effecting said placing substantially concurrently with interruption of carriage down movement in proximity to the lumber stack,

11. In a lumber stacking and spacing means, which include means for successively positioning layers of lumber on a lumber stack, means for placing spacing sticks upon the successive layers of lumber, comprising a vertically reciprocable carriage overlying said stack, a plurality of supplies of spacing sticks carried by said carriage at spaced intervals along said carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage from and to an elevated position spaced above said stack to and from a lowered deposit position closely adjacent said stack, extending means activated by carriage movement to said elevated position for separating a single spacing stick from each said supply, and supporting said single sticks at the lower part of said carriage, means activated upon substantial completion of carriage movement to said lowered deposit position for effecting deposit of said separated single sticks directly onto said stack when said carriage lower part is closely adjacent said stack, and means synchronizing said carriage movements with successive positioning of layers of lumber on said stack.

12. In lumber stacking and spacing means, which include means for successively positioning layers of lumber on a lumber stack, means for placing spacing sticks upon the successive layers of lumber, comprising a vertically reciprocable carriage overlying said stack, a plurality of supplies of spacing sticks carried by said carriage at spaced intervals along said carriage, means for reciprocating said carriage from and to an elevated position spaced above said stack to and from a lowered deposit position closely adjacent said stack, extending means activated by carriage movement to said elevated position for separating a single spacing stick from each said supply, and supporting said single sticks at the lower part of said carriage, means activated upon substantial completion of carriage movement to said lowered deposit position for effecting deposit of said separated single sticks directly onto said stack when said carriage lower part is closely adjacent said stack.

13. Stick placing means in accordance with claim 12, which includes manually operable means selectively retaining said stick supplies out of engagement by said extending means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sweden Aug. 4, 1953 

9. IN COMBINATION WITH MEANS FOR DELIVERING AND DEPOSITING SUCCESSIVE LAYERS OF LUMBER ON A LUMBER STACK, A STICK PLACER DEVICE ADAPTED TO ACCURATELY PLACE SPACING STICKS UPON THE UPPERMOST LAYER OF LUMBER IN A LUMBER STACK, SAID PLACER INCLUDING A VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE CARRIAGE, MEANS FOR CAUSING AND CONTROLLING UP AND DOWN MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE, A PLURALITY OF STICK-HANDLING MAGAZINE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE, A SUPPLY OF SPACING STICKS STACKED IN SAID MAGAZINE MEANS, MEANS CONNECTED RESPECTIVELY TO SAID MAGAZINE MEANS ENGAGING THE LOWERMOST STICK FOR EXTENDING SAID LOWERMOST STICK AWAY FROM THE RESPECTIVE SAID MAGAZINE MEANS WHILE SAID CARRIAGE IS UP AWAY FROM SAID STACK FOR ACCESS OF SAID DELIVERING MEANS TO SAID STACK AND FOR PLACING THE RESPECTIVE EXTENDED STICKS UPON THE LUMBER STACK WHEN SAID CARRIAGE IS LOWERED INTO PROXIMITY WITH SAID STACK, AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CARRIAGE EFFECTING SAID PLACING SUBSTANTIALLY CONCURRENTLY WITH INTERRUPTION OF CARRIAGE DOWN MOVEMENT IN PROXIMITY TO THE LUMBER STACK. 